At the height of the Arab Spring in Egypt, protesters burned the little-known Institut D’Egypt. Inside were hundreds, thousands, of rare books and manuscripts. Many were burned or inundated with water as firefighters tried to extinguish the fire. Now preservationists are trying to save what's left.

The United States will go forward with some $41 billion worth of military equipment sales to two Middle Eastern countries. Saudi Arabia will get $30 billion in fights and Iraq will get $11 billion in jets, tanks and other equipment.

Turkey's Vakifli Koyu is the only place in Turkey with a population that is only Armenian. The population is dwindling, but tourism and innovative agriculture have the residents hoping they can hang on just a little bit longer.

As the Syrian government continues its siege of its own communities, more Syrian soldiers are choosing to desert the Army and head for the only place they feel safe: in Lebanon. From there, some are joining the Free Syrian Army, a shadowy group that tries to protect Syrian protesters.

Over the weekend, the last U.S. troops left Iraq. They rode in a convoy to Kuwait. But for most of the soldier who went before them, Iraq will be a part of their lives forever — some moreso than others, like Colby Buzzell, who's battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

As Egypt counts the votes in its elections, one group that's not winning is the workers. They want a package of reforms to improve their lives, but so far they haven't been able to organize effectively and make their power felt — despite being instrumental in the overthrow of the country's leaders.

In a recent speech, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urged the Israelis to restart the stalled Palestinian peace process and engage proactively with its neighbors. The country has become increasingly isolated, diplomatically, in its region.